apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

>> Enter Gallery With minimal changes, Amy and Jim have adapted the mid-century modern house to fit their growing family, which includes their toddler, baby, cat and dog. They renovated the kitchen because of the sorry state of the cabinets, but have otherwise kept the house intact. The dining room light fixture and built-in cupboards are part of the house's original design, as are the built-in bookcases in the music room and basement. Amy and Jim used paint colors to accent the house design. They chose a red paint, that matches the front door, for the screened porch bars. Living near the metro and great biking trails are added bonuses for Amy and Jim. AT Survey: Our Style: eclectic, modern furniture with abstract art Inspiration: keep lines clean to keep the integrity of the house while having a livable space for a family of four people and two pets. Favorite Element: Amy: the light. Jim: the music room and having a wall of windows to look at a nice garden. Biggest Challenge: moving in and then doing the renovations. Also keeping the house clean with a 22-month old, a dog and a cat. What Friends Say: they're surprised we moved to this kooky neighborhood (we were in the city for years) but they love the house. Biggest Embarrassment: a few weeks after moving in, about 200 flies swarmed our window, like "Amityville Horror." Then they were suddenly gone and never came back. Proudest DIY: Jim worked on the yard, which wasn't in good shape, and designed the gates outside. We're proud of figuring out where certain pieces should go and deciding to open up the kitchen wall. Biggest Indulgence: the kitchen renovation and new bedroom furniture, including a king-size bed. Best Advice: best advice to give: don't move while pregnant and with a toddler. Worst advice given: don't move with two toddlers. Dream Source: Eames pieces and a modern rocking chair from Robert Erickson. >> Enter Gallery Resources: Furniture: Master bedroom furniture from Bo Concept. Orange Parson table in basement from Theodore's in Georgetown (purchased by Jim's parents in the early 70's) and are the two modern chairs in living room purchased by Jim and Amy a few months ago. The old school chair by the orange table was purchased at a yard sale. The Scandanavian dressers in the kids rooms were purchased from a DC store called Scan in the early 1970's (the store has since closed); couch from Pier 1. Accessories: retro radio (Amy's from the 1970's); storage bins and shelves in the kids' rooms and basement from The Container Store; bathroom rugs, shower curtains and other accessories from Linen 'N Things. Lighting: dining area chandelier came with the house (part of the original design). Ikea lamps. Rugs and Carpets: vintage oriental rugs, red rug in living room from Hechts Tiles and Stone: original to house. Window Treatments: Amy made the living room drapes; blinds from Next Day Blinds Artwork: painting in hall by Mai Anh; "blue" painting in the living room by Julia Von Eichel; Face Man II" batik by Chuck Kaiser (by the breakfast bar); clay monoprint "Eutectic Man" by Philadelphia artist Mitch Lyons; paintings in the basement by DC artist Afshin Atabaki; Paint: All Benjamin Moore. The blue in the kitchen is paradiso (717). The white walls are painted with oxford white (869). The accent wall in the living room is waynesboro taupe (1544). The front door and railings in the porch are painted in heritage red. Kitchen Design and Remodeling: Inex Construction (Thanks, Amy and Jim!) >> Enter Gallery